How to Hand Wash Hockey Gear

Hockey gear is bulky and usually won't fit in a regular washing machine. The best way to get rid of germs and bacteria, which causes the foul smell, is to hand-wash the gear.

A variety of products claim to get rid of sports stench on equipment, but many of them simply cover up the smell rather than kill the bacteria that causes the odor.

Things You'll Need

  • Vinegar
  • Washing soda
  • Bathtub
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fill the bathtub about half-full with warm water. Add half a cup of washing soda and about a cup of vinegar to the water while it's running. (Washing soda is different from powdered detergent--it is sodium carbonate, a highly alkaline chemical compound that is used to remove stains from clothing. It works like bleach, but washing soda will not stain or discolor your clothing or gear.) You might want to add a small amount of detergent to help cleanse the hockey gear and make it smell fresh.

    • 2

      Place the hockey gear in the bathtub. Wash the pants, chest protector, elbow pads and shin guards. Make sure the gear is laid out in the water, so it's not overlapping. This will ensure that it fully soaks in the water and gets as clean as possible.

    • 3

      Rub the padding in the hockey gear. This is where the majority of the germs and bacteria are held, so wash this area well. You might need to add extra vinegar to the water to kill all the bacteria and get rid of the smell. Squeeze the water into the padding to ensure that it soaks all the way through.

    • 4

      Squeeze the excess water out of all the equipment. Drain the bathtub and fill with clear, warm water. Place all the equipment back in the bathtub and swish it around, squeezing the padding to make sure the gear is fully rinsed. You might need to repeat this step a couple of times to ensure all vinegar, detergent and washing soda are rinsed out.

    • 5

      Hang or lay the gear out to dry in the sun or on a drying rack. If these spots are not available, hang the gear from hangers over the bathtub to drip-dry.